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The Ultimate Guide To The Sterling Shepard Draft: Draft Analysis, Highlights, And Fantasy Rankings

Trends January 15, 2025

Wondering who Sterling Shepard is and why he's such a hot NFL Draft prospect?

Sterling Shepard is a wide receiver who played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round (40th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. Shepard has quickly become one of the Giants' most reliable receivers, and he is expected to play a major role in the team's offense in the years to come.

Shepard is a versatile receiver who can line up in the slot or on the outside. He is a good route runner and has strong hands. He is also a dangerous return specialist, averaging 26.2 yards per return in his college career.

Shepard is a hard worker and a team player. He is also a very coachable player, which has helped him to develop quickly in the NFL. He is a rising star in the NFL, and he is expected to have a long and successful career.

Here is a table with some of Sterling Shepard's personal details and bio data:

Name	Sterling Shepard
Position	Wide receiver
College	Oklahoma
Draft	2016 NFL Draft, 2nd round (40th overall)
Team	New York Giants

Shepard is a valuable asset to the Giants, and he is expected to be a key part of the team's offense for many years to come.

Sterling Shepard Draft

Sterling Shepard was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round (40th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has quickly become one of the Giants' most reliable receivers, and he is expected to play a major role in the team's offense in the years to come.

Wide receiver
Oklahoma Sooners
2nd round (40th overall)
New York Giants
Slot receiver
Punt returner
Rising star

These key aspects highlight Sterling Shepard's position on the field, his college career, his draft status, his current team, his versatility as a receiver, his ability as a punt returner, and his potential as a rising star in the NFL. Shepard is a valuable asset to the Giants, and he is expected to be a key part of the team's offense for many years to come.

1. Wide receiver

A wide receiver (WR) is a player in gridiron football who lines up wide of the offensive line and is responsible for catching passes from the quarterback. Wide receivers are typically fast and agile, with good hands and strong route-running skills.

Slot receiver
A slot receiver is a wide receiver who lines up in the slot, which is the area between the offensive line and the wide receivers. Slot receivers are typically smaller and quicker than outside receivers, and they are often used on short routes and in the red zone.
Outside receiver
An outside receiver is a wide receiver who lines up outside the slot receivers. Outside receivers are typically taller and stronger than slot receivers, and they are often used on deep routes.
Punt returner
A punt returner is a player who is responsible for fielding punts and returning them for as many yards as possible. Punt returners are typically fast and agile, with good hands and decision-making skills.
Rising star
A rising star is a player who is expected to have a successful career in the NFL. Rising stars are typically young players who have shown a lot of potential in their early careers.

Sterling Shepard is a wide receiver who has quickly become one of the Giants' most reliable receivers. He is a versatile receiver who can line up in the slot or on the outside. He is also a dangerous return specialist, averaging 26.2 yards per return in his college career. Shepard is a hard worker and a team player, and he is expected to have a long and successful career in the NFL.

2. Oklahoma Sooners

Sterling Shepard played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. He was a standout player for the Sooners, and he helped lead the team to a College Football Playoff berth in 2015. Shepard's success at Oklahoma helped him to get drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

There are several reasons why Shepard's time at Oklahoma was so important to his NFL draft prospects. First, Oklahoma is a perennial powerhouse in college football. The Sooners have won seven national championships, and they are always competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff. This means that Shepard was playing against the best competition in the country, which helped him to develop his skills and prepare for the NFL.

Second, Oklahoma has a long history of producing NFL talent. Some of the most famous NFL players of all time played for the Sooners, including Billy Sims, Tony Casillas, and Adrian Peterson. This tradition of success gave Shepard a chance to learn from some of the best players in the game, and it helped him to develop the skills and mindset that he needed to succeed in the NFL.

Third, Oklahoma's coaching staff is one of the best in the country. Head coach Bob Stoops is a legendary coach, and he has a proven track record of developing NFL talent. Shepard benefited greatly from Stoops' coaching, and he was able to learn from one of the best coaches in the game.

Overall, Shepard's time at Oklahoma was a major factor in his success in the NFL Draft. He played against the best competition in the country, he learned from some of the best players and coaches in the game, and he developed the skills and mindset that he needed to succeed in the NFL.

3. 2nd round (40th overall)

Sterling Shepard was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round (40th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. This means that he was one of the first 40 players to be selected in the draft, which is a testament to his talent and potential. Being drafted in the second round also means that the Giants believe that Shepard can be a valuable contributor to their team, and they are willing to invest in his development.

The NFL Draft is an important event for both players and teams. For players, it is a chance to showcase their skills and earn a spot on an NFL roster. For teams, it is a chance to add talented players to their roster and build a team that can compete for a championship. Shepard's draft position is a reflection of his talent and potential, and it is a sign that the Giants believe that he can be a valuable contributor to their team.

Shepard has quickly become one of the Giants' most reliable receivers. He is a versatile receiver who can line up in the slot or on the outside. He is also a dangerous return specialist, averaging 26.2 yards per return in his college career. Shepard is a hard worker and a team player, and he is expected to have a long and successful career in the NFL.

4. New York Giants

The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. They are members of the National Football Conference (NFC) East division of the National Football League (NFL). The Giants are one of the most successful teams in NFL history, having won eight NFL championships, including four Super Bowls.

History
The Giants were founded in 1925 as one of the original members of the NFL. They played their first game on December 19, 1925, against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants won their first NFL championship in 1927, and they have gone on to win seven more championships since then.
Home field
The Giants play their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. MetLife Stadium is also the home of the New York Jets.
Rivals
The Giants' biggest rivals are the Philadelphia Eagles. The two teams have been playing each other since 1933, and they have one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL.
Super Bowl appearances
The Giants have appeared in the Super Bowl nine times, and they have won four of them. Their most recent Super Bowl victory came in 2012, when they defeated the New England Patriots.

The New York Giants are one of the most successful and well-respected teams in the NFL. They have a long and storied history, and they have a passionate fan base. Sterling Shepard is a valuable member of the Giants, and he is expected to play a major role in the team's success in the years to come.

5. Slot receiver

A slot receiver is a wide receiver who lines up in the slot, which is the area between the offensive line and the wide receivers. Slot receivers are typically smaller and quicker than outside receivers, and they are often used on short routes and in the red zone.

Sterling Shepard is a slot receiver who was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Shepard is a versatile receiver who can also line up outside, but he is primarily used in the slot. He is a dangerous receiver in the slot because he is quick and agile, and he has good hands. He is also a good route runner, and he is able to get open against tight coverage.

The slot receiver position is an important part of the modern NFL offense. Slot receivers are often used to create mismatches against smaller defensive backs, and they can be very effective in the passing game. Shepard is one of the best slot receivers in the NFL, and he is a key part of the Giants' offense.

Here are some of the key insights about the connection between slot receivers and the NFL Draft:

Slot receivers are becoming increasingly important in the NFL.
Sterling Shepard is one of the best slot receivers in the NFL.
The slot receiver position can be a valuable asset to any NFL team.

6. Punt returner

A punt returner is a player who is responsible for fielding punts and returning them for as many yards as possible. Punt returners are typically fast and agile, with good hands and decision-making skills.

Sterling Shepard is a punt returner who was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Shepard is a versatile player who can also line up as a wide receiver, but he is primarily used as a punt returner. He is a dangerous returner because he is quick and agile, and he has good hands. He is also a good decision-maker, and he is able to find the holes in the coverage.

The punt returner position is an important part of the modern NFL game. Punt returners can help their team gain field position, and they can also score touchdowns. Shepard is one of the best punt returners in the NFL, and he is a key part of the Giants' special teams unit.

Here are some of the key insights about the connection between punt returners and the NFL Draft:

Punt returners are becoming increasingly important in the NFL.
Sterling Shepard is one of the best punt returners in the NFL.
The punt returner position can be a valuable asset to any NFL team.

7. Rising star

The term "rising star" is often used to describe a young player who is expected to have a successful career in the NFL. Sterling Shepard is a rising star who was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Shepard has quickly become one of the Giants' most reliable receivers, and he is expected to play a major role in the team's offense in the years to come.

There are several reasons why Shepard is considered a rising star. First, he has shown a lot of potential in his early career. In his first two seasons with the Giants, Shepard has caught 129 passes for 1,516 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has also shown that he can be a dangerous return specialist, averaging 26.2 yards per return in his college career.

Second, Shepard has the physical tools to be a successful NFL receiver. He is 6'0" and 198 pounds, and he has good speed and athleticism. He is also a good route runner, and he has strong hands. These physical tools give Shepard the potential to be a productive receiver in the NFL.

Third, Shepard has the intangibles to be a successful NFL player. He is a hard worker and a team player. He is also a very coachable player, which has helped him to develop quickly in the NFL. These intangibles give Shepard the potential to be a long-term contributor to the Giants.

Overall, Sterling Shepard is a rising star who has the potential to be a successful NFL receiver. He has shown a lot of potential in his early career, he has the physical tools to be successful, and he has the intangibles to be a long-term contributor to the Giants.

Sterling Shepard Draft FAQs

This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Sterling Shepard's NFL Draft experience.

Question 1: What round was Sterling Shepard drafted in?

Answer: Sterling Shepard was drafted in the second round (40th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Question 2: Which team drafted Sterling Shepard?

Answer: Sterling Shepard was drafted by the New York Giants.

Question 3: What position does Sterling Shepard play?

Answer: Sterling Shepard plays wide receiver.

Question 4: What are Sterling Shepard's strengths as a player?

Answer: Sterling Shepard is a versatile receiver who can line up in the slot or on the outside. He is also a dangerous return specialist.

Question 5: What are Sterling Shepard's weaknesses as a player?

Answer: Sterling Shepard is relatively small for a wide receiver, and he can sometimes struggle against physical press coverage.

Summary of key takeaways or final thought: Sterling Shepard was a highly touted prospect coming out of college, and he has quickly become one of the Giants' most reliable receivers. He is a versatile player who can make plays in a variety of ways, and he is expected to be a key part of the Giants' offense for many years to come.

Transition to the next article section: Sterling Shepard is a rising star in the NFL, and he is expected to have a long and successful career. He is a talented player with a bright future, and he is sure to be a fan favorite for many years to come.

Conclusion

Shepard is a versatile receiver who can line up in the slot or on the outside. He is also a dangerous return specialist. He is a hard worker and a team player, and he is expected to have a long and successful career in the NFL.

Shepard's success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He is a role model for young athletes, and he shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.